Impatiens plant named &#34;DHAR321&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Impatiens  cultivar named ‘DHAR321’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive large orange flowers, good branching and sun resistance. The new variety is an  Impatiens  normally produced as an outdoor ornamental plant for containers or gardens.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Impateins hawkeri×flaccida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DHAR321’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Impatiens cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Impatiens varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during January of 2007.

The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary variety referred to as Impatiens ‘518’. The pollen parent is the unpatented proprietary variety referred to as Impatiens ‘886’. The new variety was discovered in March of 2008 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2006 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321 ’ by leaf cuttings was first performed at a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in March of 2008 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DHAR321’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DHAR321’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DHAR321’ as a new and distinct Impatiens cultivar:

1. Large flowers.

2. Orange flower color.

3. Good branching.

4. Sun resistance.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Impatiens ‘518’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321’ have more vigorous growth habit, and larger flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Impatiens ‘886’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321’ produce orange colored flowers compared to the lavender colored flowers produced by ‘886’. Plants of ‘DHAR321’ also have a more vigorous growth habit, brighter colored leaves and larger flowers than ‘886’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321’ are comparable to the variety Impatiens ‘Misato FG2’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,663. The two Impatiens varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics however, the new variety ‘DHAR321’ differs in having lighter colored flowers, and an overall more compact plant habit. Additionally, the new variety has larger flowers than ‘Misato FG2’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DHAR321’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Impatiens ‘SAKIMP011’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,498. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however ‘DHAR321’ has a more vigorous growth habit and larger flower size. Additionally, plants of ‘DHAR321’ produce a lighter colored flower than that of ‘SAKIMP011’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DHAR321’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 16 cm pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 14 weeks from a rooted cutting FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of ‘DHAR321’. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DHAR321’ plants grown in a greenhouse during Winter and Spring in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the day and from 15° C. to 25° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens hawkeri×flaccida ‘DHAR321’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—Summer: 10 to 12 days at             approximately 25° C. Winter: 14 to 20 days at approximately             18° C.         -   Root description.—Fibrous adventitious roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Mounded.         -   Pot size of plant described.—16 cm.         -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 14 weeks from rooted             cutting.         -   Height.—25 cm.         -   Plant spread.—40 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Vigorous.         -   Branching characteristics.—Highly branched.         -   Length of primary lateral branches.—20 cm.         -   Quantity of primary lateral branches.—5-7.         -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches.—Form: Oval             shape Diameter: 1 cm. Color: Yellow Green group 147C RHS             Texture: Smooth Strength: Strong, very stable.         -   Internode length.—6.5 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate. Quantity: Approximately 20-25             per branch. Average Length: 7.5 cm. Average Width: 3.5 cm.             Shape of blade: Lanceolate to ovate Apex: Attenuate. Base:             Acuminate Margin: Ciliate Texture of top surface: Smooth             Pubescence: none Aspect: 45 degrees Color: Young foliage             upper side: Green Group 137 B RHS Young foliage under side:             Green Group 137 D RHS Mature foliage upper side: Yellow             Green Group 147 A RHS Mature foliage under side: Yellow             Green Group 147 B RHS Venation: Midrib with secondary veins.             Pinnate, only lower surface Type: Pinnate. Venation color             upper side: Yellow Green Group 147 C RHS Venation color             under side: Greyed red Group 182 C RHS Petiole: Length:             1 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Color: Green Group 194 A RHS             Texture: Smooth. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Flowers at any day length. All             year round in a greenhouse environment. Flowering is             continuous from spring until fall in an outdoor garden.         -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting.—10 weeks.         -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit.—Single flowers             raised above the foliage. The corolla consists of five             petals.         -   Rate of flower opening.—10 to 15 days from bud to fully             opened flower.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—5-8 Days.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self cleaning.         -   Bud.—Shape: Ovate Length: 1.2 cm Diameter: 1 cm Color:             Orange Red Group 33 B RHS.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: 6.5 cm. Depth: 5.5 cm, including             spur.         -   Petals.—Quantity: 5 Arrangement: Rotate, overlapping Length:             3.2 cm Width: 3 cm Shape: Obcordate Apex: Heart Shape Base:             Acute Margin: Entire Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth Color: When opening, upper surface: Orange Red Group             N30D RHS When opening, lower surface: Orange Red Group 32C             RHS Fully opened, upper surface: Orange Red Group N30C RHS             Fully opened, lower surface: Orange Red Group 31B RHS.         -   Spurs.—Quantity per flower: 1 Length: 5.5 cm Diameter: 0.1             cm Aspect: Spur curvature 40°-45° from peduncle Color:             Towards base: Greyed Purple Group 185 C RHS Apex: Yellow             Green Group 144 D RHS.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: 2 Length: 1.5 cm Width: 0.7 cm Shape             (overall): Oblong Apex: Acute Base: Rounded Margin: Entire             Color: Yellow Green Group 146 C RHS.         -   Peduncles.—Length: 5 cm Diameter: 0.1 cm Angle: About 45° to             the lateral branch Strength: Stable, flexible Texture:             Smooth Color: Yellow Green Group 146 D RHS.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—There are five stamens with introrse anthers that             are more or less fused and form a cap over the ovary.             Number: 5.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong Length: Approximately 0.4 cm. Color:             Red Group 47 B RHS Pollen: Color: White Group 155 D RHS             Quantity: Many.         -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: 0.5 cm. Style: Length: 0.5 cm.             Color: Yellow Green Group 144 B RHS Stigma: Shape: Round             Color: White GROUP N155B RHS Ovary Color: Yellow-Green             group, RHS 144D RHS. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Minute locule fruits produce 5-10 seeds             per fruit.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor             susceptibility has been observed.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Grows best at a range between 10°             C.-30° C. Will tolerate moderate temperatures outside of             this range. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘DHAR321’ as herein illustrated and described. 